Lithuania Approves Purchase of Leopard 2 Tanks

The Lithuanian Defense Council approved the purchase of German Leopard 2 tanks on January 23, 2024.

The Advisor to the President of Lithuania on Defense, Kęstutis Budrys, announced this.

The main battle tanks are to be purchased for a division to be created in the country to strengthen its military capabilities. The plan for its creation was presented in March 2023.

“The most effective combat platform that meets the full range of criteria set by Lithuania is the German Leopard 2 tank,” Budrys said.

The Ministry of Defense was instructed to start negotiations with German manufacturers and other countries interested in purchasing this combat vehicle.

The Defense Council also approved the creation of an artillery regiment as part of the new division. An air defense unit and an engineer battalion will become regiments.

The structure of the Lithuanian Naval Force will also be expanded to increase combat capabilities.

“The Naval Forces are establishing a maritime and coastal defense service. The creation of the Cyber Defense Department and other changes are also envisaged,” Kęstutis Budrys added.

It was also agreed to increase the maximum number of conscripts per year by 2000. Currently, about 3,800 citizens are being drafted for military service in Lithuania every year.

Last year, Militarnyi reported on Lithuania’s plans to purchase dozens of main battle tanks. About €2 billion will be allocated for this.

Lithuania’s preliminary maximum requirement for tanks is 54 units. The planned purchase of these combat vehicles will be the country’s largest defense purchase.

Last November, it became known that Germany was in talks with the Czech Republic, Lithuania, Sweden, and the Netherlands about the possible supply of Leopard 2A8 tanks. The tanks can be delivered within the recently concluded Bundeswehr framework contract for Leopard 2A8 tanks.